The Beaver Tale
February 2008
President’s Note It has been hectic this month, what with all the end-of-year holiday aftermath, but I’m looking forward to our club meeting coming up on the 7th of February. I’m pretty sure we have Woody Minnich lined up as our speaker. Victor has contacted him and received a positive response. It’s been over two years since Woody last did a club presentation (January 2006 and before that, March of 2005). However, he was here for one of our show/sales in 2007. Woody needs no additional introduction from me. He is an honorary member of our club and a giant in the world of cactus and succulents. This excerpt came from the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society newsletter in September 2005: Woody Minnich grew up in the desert and has been a cactus and succulent enthusiast his entire life. He has made over one hundred trips to Mexico and South Americas studying cacti and other succulents. He is an authority on a number of genera. He has given lectures and presentations about cacti in habitat from his many trips to locations all over the world. Woody is also an avid photographer and always includes special photos in his presentations. Woody’s presentation to us next month will likely be on Socotra, an Island in the Arabian Sea, at least that is the one I suggested from the choices he offered. Woody will also be bringing some plants for sale. The meeting itself will also highlight our Cactus Points Awards program for the past year. The awards themselves have finally arrived and I hope everyone who was notified that they were receiving an award (or placed an order for the shirts from L. L. Bean) will be on hand. Additionally, Paula Garrett will be giving us a preview of the upcoming Plant Affair sponsored by the Arboretum at UNLV in March, which will feature a number of presentations on cacti and succulents by our own club members, and Susan Kent will be filling us in on our own Celebrate Cactus event in April at Turner’s Greenhouse. Lots of good stuff! I’m sure Liz will tell us what goodies to bring for our gastronomic pleasure as well. And Susan will be bringing raffle plants and a special plant for auction. Finally, for our Executive Board members, a reminder that the Board meeting will be held before the regular meeting. We’ll meet in the usual place at 6:00 p.m. Please be on time. I’ll open up the building at 5:30 if you would like to come and help set up. Since the last meeting we have spruced up the place a bit. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. For sure you will be able to see better; we replaced something like 45 burned out overhead fluorescent bulbs!
See you in February!
Phil Lawton
++++++++++
1
Next Meeting Date/Time
Monthly Meeting Programs:
February 7, 2008 Regular Meeting Starts at 7:00 PM Please come early to help set up! Board Meeting starts at 6:00 PM Members with last names ending in N-Z please bring refreshments.
Meetings are the first Thursday every month at the Garden Club near Lorenzi Park, at the corner of Washington & Twin Lakes Drive. http://www.csssn.org Lists the club Officers
++++++++++ If you have an e-mail address, we e-mail the newsletter. If you wish a paper copy, please notify Liz at
[email protected].
++++++++++
February Feature: Woody Minnich – likely topic is, “Socotra, an Island in the Arabian Sea.” See “bio” in President’s Note.
++++++++++ Annual Dues Were Due in January! To remain a member, please act NOW! Individual - $15.00; Household - $25 Name(s): ____________________________________ _____________________________________________ Street: ______________________________________ City, State, Zip ________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________
Planned Events Get family and friends together for a selfguided great winter or spring outing. February 7, 8, 9 caravan with Victor to Southern Cal! See web site for details! UNLV's Leisure Lecture Series: "A Plant Affair" 3/1, 3/15, 3/16, 3/29 & 3/30 April 12 and 13 – DOUBLE HEADER! Celebrate Cactus Show & Sale - at Turner’s Nevada Garden Clubs Spring Show - at Lorenzi Park Garden Center
e-mail address: ________________________________ email & website are default methods of communication.
We will collect dues at the meeting or you may mail them. Thanks for your continued interest! CSSSN – Membership P O Box 571101 Las Vegas, NV 89157
++++++++++ Planned Speakers March: Mark Muradian April: Mark Dimmitt
Turner-Greenhouse- http://www.turner-greenhouse.com Dave & Kris Turner 645-2032
4455 Quadrel Street, Las Vegas, NV 89129
We specialize in Cactus & Succulents for the Landscaper & Collector Native Nevada Cactus, Hedgehogs, Beavertails Red & Golden Barrels, Rainbow Cactus Yuccas, Joshuas, Ocotillos, Aloes, Agaves We also have a large selection of additional Succulents from all over the world for the house & patio.
Victory Lindsey’s http://calplants.biz/ If you have veggie or tropical plant gardening questions, contact club member, Leslie Doyle, aka the “Tomato Lady”
http://www.sweettomatotestgarden.com 2
We are always looking for rare, special, and large specimen Cactus & Succulents to buy. Call 1-800-384-4559 E-mail
[email protected]
Succulent Care Tips: genus SANSEVIERIA (family Agavaceae) By Susan Kent When is a common houseplant, not quite so common? Viewing a Sansevieria species collection answers that question. Many people know the plant as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” or “Snake Plant.” Three variegated bands typify S. trifasciata laurentii, the most common Sansevieria. Many trifasciata cultivars abound, and are available at almost all retail flower shops. Sansevieria are succulents, a point most often forgotten. They have rhizomes and have strong fleshy leaves, the fibers of which can form rope, mats, and bowstrings. People that bring most houseplants to their demise have probably kept at least one of the common Sansevieria alive in their home for a while. Here’s why: They are evergreen, tolerant of little light, and appreciate being kept on the dry side. They don’t object to being pot bound, and are easily propagated from offsets in the summer. Here's another plus: the raceme inflorescence (spike like flower) is fragrant! With all that in their favor, they are a great choice for the houseplant lover, and the “how-to-care” questions are easily answered. Most of the “Sans” are great adapters to low light conditions. Life below 50°F slows them down and 32°F and below kills them. If you must attempt to grow these plants outdoors in the ground, plant them in a very sheltered winter-warm microclimate. If taking them outside for “summer vacation,” be sure to keep them in the shade with no direct sun to avoid sunburn. Lacking these OUTDOOR growing conditions, most Las Vegas growers keep the plants inside. They require very little water in the winter. In the spring and summer months, make sure the soil dries before watering the soil (do not mist). Always avoid direct water in the center of the leaf rosettes. Moisture at the heart causes rot. They are insect and disease resistant as long as they are not over watered. Unless very heavily organic soil is used or other plants in the home are infested, fungus gnats are rarely, if ever, a problem. The many different Sansevieria species (50+) are native to Africa and the East Indies. The plant can grow profusely outdoors in parts of California and Florida, but they are not native to that area. They vary greatly in potential size, and coloration. In addition to the many species that seem to be solidly identified, several hybrids and undocumented plants exist which confuse even the experts. Nurseries misidentify specimens by accident or from having been misinformed. The photos here are not presented for identification purposes, but rather to illustrate the specie diversity within the genus. Kris Turner has a private collection from which she sometimes propagates. The collection is among the most diverse in the area, and the source for the photos accompanying this article as well as some books. B. Juan Chahinian’s plant key and books are valuable resources on the genus. The International Sansevieria Society has one of many websites on which one can see great photos and learn more as well. Sadly, the site is under reconstruction, so resources are presently limited. 3
“Minnie 3” pot mature; spikelike raceme inflorescence
S. “Bantel’s Sensation” vertical albino variegation and little to no green cross banding
A “Robusta” that’s spirodistichous
All 3 above are S. trifasciata Hahnii. Left is possibly “White Gold” which is a direct descendent S. t. laurentii. Center is a possible sport of “Golden Hahnii.” Far right is “Silver,” marginata.
S. kirkii (above) sometimes with a copper hue; light affects leaf blotching; capitate raceme inflorescence
S. suffruticosa – Likes to hang in a basket (center photo) or creep along atrium floors; stolons increase the ease of propagation as shown on the right even when blooming.
Related Botanical Terms to remember: Plant Identification Key – Traditionally, a numbered and lettered table of dichotomous questions (only two answers to each; similar to a "truth table") about technical characteristics of plants; developed by naturalists to help identify existing and new discoveries. Raceme (spike like), panicle (branched), capitate (sparkler-like) inflorescence (flower) Stolons (above soil), rhizome (beneath soil) – horizontal stems that store food and water and produce adventitious roots Distichous growth in Sansevieria occurs on round leaved species, and can be fan-like, spiral, or ranked (2 by 2) Monocarpic – the plant flowers once and then dies. Genus Agave is monocarpic; genus Sansevieria is not monocarpic, even though both are members of the family Agavaceae. Not All Agavaceae are Monocarpic.
4
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Asparagales Family: Agavaceae Genus: Sansevieria) Species: kirkii (more than 50) (Variety follows) REFERENCES: AGAVES, YUCCAS, AND RELATED PLANTS by Mary and Gary Irish BOTANY FOR GARDENERS REVISED EDITION by Brian Capon THE HOUSE PLANT EXPERT by Dr. D. G. Hessayon THE SANSEVIERIA TRIFASCIATA VARIETIES and THE SPLENDID SANSEVIERIA both by B. Juan Chahinian SANSEVIERIAS by K. D. Morgenstern Turner-Greenhouse, Cactus & Succulent Nursery, Kris Turner
“CACTUS” CARE TIPS: LAS VEGAS VALLEY ESTABLISHED PLANTS IN WINTER BY SUSAN KENT To Cover or Not to Cover? If you have plants like the aforementioned in your landscape, try these techniques: Wrap them with burlap or drape them with blankets. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use a plastic wrap. You can warm a plant slightly by lighting them with “rope” lights, net lights, or just the simple small Christmas tree lights. Don’t use the LED type lights because they DO NOT GENERATE much heat! Frankly, most folks like to plant what will take a freeze and not bother with this wrapping stuff. Eventually, fate will catch up with the plant, and the owner will be left with an eyesore in the landscape while, and if, the plant recovers. Years of nurturing will be lost and replacement is almost always the answer.
Many people do or want to include agave, cactus, Joshua trees, and yuccas in their landscapes, but are misinformed with respect the plant requirements of these desert inhabitants. If you suffer plant loss this winter, remember, plant replacement is a natural part of gardening, whether in the desert or back in “Someothercity, Andstate.” You might recall spending lots of time and money with “annuals” and overgrown woody Forsythia where you used to live. Gardening is an ongoing part of life. There are some things that can help mitigate winter plant loss. The following can be used to assist in established outdoor desert plant care. The practices suggested are starting points from which you can learn to make your own Above all: Homeowners and adjustments. gardeners maintaining well established successful landscapes should probably not change routines. The old adage is true most of the time: If it’s not broken, don’t fix it!
To water or not to water? After landscape design, plant selection and installation, watering presents the largest problem in sustaining plant life. Even desert plant material needs water in our landscapes if we want it to live longer and be more beautiful. If you are not watering, and plants appear to be thriving, rest assured they are getting water from some source. It’s possible that the roots have traveled several feet to find a bit of moisture under hard surfaces or in a neighbor’s yard. The table below applies to plants on drip or subterranean water management methods, NOT sprayers or sprinkle heads. It is assumed that every plant has the equivalent of two 2-gph drippers within nine inches of the base of the plant. Larger plants may have more drippers available. A few Mojave natives like the “Cotton top” and “Red Barrel” require less water. Whenever in doubt, head back to your knowledge source with your photos for advice.
What Plant IZIT? If you purchased your plant from a large retail establishment or got it from a friend, you may not really know what it is or where it came from. If you don’t know what it really is, you can only guess at proper care. Just because a plant “attacks you” doesn’t mean it’s a cactus. Take some photos of your landscape and head off to a knowledge source (see acknowledgements). Knowing your plant will give you a head start on providing care. If you have Euphorbia of any type, it won’t survive a freeze. Many “monstrose” or crested “anythings” won’t survive a freeze. Often, juveniles of even the near native species won’t survive a freeze. Plants with roots that have atrophied from too little water, or have started to rot from improper drainage during the summer are already compromised even though they may still appear vigorous above ground. A freeze will further stress the plant and possibly cause death. Many of the plants mentioned are not happy when the temperature dips below 40°F. After you’ve figured out what you’ve got, you can start to take care of it properly.
***** Acknowledgements: University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Southern Region, Southern Nevada Water Authority Conservation Division, Springs Preserve, Turner-Greenhouse *****
5
GENERAL WATERING GUIDE** FOR ESTABLISHED (12 + months in the ground) CACTUS, YUCCAS, JOSHUAS, OCOTILLOS AND AGAVES (Adapted with permission from theTurner-Greenhouse Suggested Care Guide) Visit the nursery for a full copy of the care guide. Days per week Times per day Minutes each watering Winter (Nov, Dec, 1 1 12 Jan, Feb) Spring (Mar, Apr) 2 1 12 Summer (May, 3 1 12 Jun, July, Aug) Fall (Sept, Oct) 2 1 12 **Annual weather conditions, soil, and location of plant within the landscape as well as within Las Vegas can vary moisture requirements. Generally, more frequent water may be needed in sandier soil and on mounds and slopes. SOIL MOISTURE TEST - DIP STICK APPROACH: Insert a long screwdriver into the soil about 5 to 10 inches beyond the plant base. Pull the screwdriver back out of the soil. If the screwdriver blade is very wet, an over watering condition and/or poor drainage exists. Conversely, if the blade is very dry, under watering may be a problem.
6